Army on stand-by as more floods feared for the weekend

The Army and Civil Defence are on stand-by as more serious flooding is expected in the coming days with a number of rivers already very high across the country.

The National Coordination Group has issued a warning about possible flooding of the River Barrow, the Blackwater, the Nore and the Slaney, and also the River Shannon.

Met Eireann is forecasting more heavy rain from tonight, with Munster expected to be worst affected with up to 50 millimetres of rain in the next couple of days.

It is also warning that a succession of storms will hit the country between Tuesday and Friday next week.

Brian Kenny from the Department of the Environment says people should stay safe and be prepared.

Limerick City and County Council says it remains on a state of alert, but they say the threat of combined storm and tidal flooding is receding and that it does not expect further flooding to occur in Limerick city.

Council engineers have warned however that elevated river levels around the county, combined with saturated land and forecasts for further heavy rain, could lead to localised flooding.

Paul Crowe, Director of Services explained: “The Council has been informed by Met Éireann that the current spell of very unsettled weather will continue for the coming week with a succession of Atlantic storms predicted to impact. Heavy rain and high winds are again forecast overnight and again during tomorrow.

"The Council will continue to monitor the situation over the coming days. We are also in constant contact with the ESB regarding the elevated water levels on the Lower River Shannon.”

Flooding advice is available on www.flooding.ie. Information included on the website includes advice on identifying flooding risks, protecting property against flooding, necessary steps to be taken if a property is flooded, and assessing and repairing property damaged by flooding.